Buttton.



(No Model.)

STATES ABRAHAM L. SPRAGUE, on

PATENT MILTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO HIM- B U T T O N SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 646,884, dated April 3, 1900.

7 Application filed July 1, 1899. Serial 110,722,594. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ABRAHAM L. SPRAGUE, of Milton, in the county of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Buttons; and I hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in buttons which are particularly adapted for use in collars and cuffs, but which may be used in any article having a slot in the nature of a buttonhole.

One object of the invention is to improve the construction of the button with reference to the means for locking the same to the article to which it is applied.

Another object of the invention is to improve the button with reference to its means for engaging and holding a necktie when used as a collar-button.

Another object of the invention is to improve the general construction of the button.

The invention consists 'in the spring lockplate and in the rotating engaging portion adapted to be locked thereby.

The invention also consists in the construction of the button-head in combination with the locking device.

The invention also consists in such other novel features of construction and combination of parts as shall hereinafter be more fully described, and pointed out in the claims.

Figure 1 represents a perspective view, partly in section, of the improved button. Fig. 2 represents a plan view of the same.

Similar numbers of reference designate corresponding parts throughout.

In carrying my invention into practice it has been my desire to so construct a button adapted for use in securing together any articles or parts of the same article having slots in the nature of buttonholes that the shank and head of the button may be entered through the slots without materially stretching or breaking the edges of the slot and may be locked therein by a simple action. It has also been my desire to so construct the button-head that when used as a collar-button it 7 and has at its end thefixed head 10.

tie from slipping upward.

The back-plate 5 shown in the drawings has a dished shape and an inwardly-turned edge 6, under which is secured the plate 7 of spring metal and having the concavities 8 8 in its upper surface and extending radially from a central perforation. In the back-plate 5 is fixed the pivot 9, which extends through the central perforation in the spring locking-plate This head is wedge-shaped and is proportioned to be readily entered through a buttonhole, as is shown in the drawings, the head having the elliptical base 11, rounded on its upper end surfaces, as at 12, connecting at its central portion by the neck 13 with the spur member 14, having the spurs 15 15.

Journaled on the pivot 9 is the locking block 16, having a cross-sectional shape corresponding to that of the headlO, being proportioned to rotate in intimate contact with the lower surface of the head and to resist the upward spring tendency of the spring-plate 7, so that when brought opposite the slots 8 8 the spring of this plate will cause the engagement of this end of the block 16 by the slots to lock the block and button-back from independent rotation under accidental pressure.

The construction shown in the drawings when used as a collar-button, with the locking-block located in line with head 10, is passed head first through the buttonholes of the neckband and then through the buttonholes in the collar, bringing the head 10 out side, the locking-post being held from turning by the buttonholes. A hold is now taken on the head 10, and it is given a one-quarter turn, bringing it to a vertical position and turning the back-plate and spring-plate in a corresponding degree, when the end of the locking-block will be engaged by the registering concavity 8 and the button is locked against removal.

When the necktie is arranged about the col lar, the back of the tie is engaged by one of the spurs 15, free entrance to such engagement being permitted .by the shape of the shoulder 12.

Having thus described my invention, I

shall be adapted to engage and hold the neck- I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. The combination With the back-plate 5, the spring-plate 7 secured therein and having the central perforation and the concavities 8 8 extending radially from the perforation, the pivot 9 secured in the back-plate and extending through the perforation in the spring-plate 7, and the elliptical head fixed on the pivot, of the elliptical block 16 journaled on the pivot 9 and working in contact With the head and with the surface of the spring-plate 7.

2. The combination with the back-plate 5, the spring-plate 7 secured therein and having the central perforation and the concavities S 8 extending radially therefrom, the pivot 9 fixed in the back-plate and extending through the perforation in the spring-plate, and a head fixed on the pivot and having the elliptical base 11 with the ends 12 and the neck 13 connecting with the wedge-shaped spur member 14 having the spurs 15 15, of the elliptical block 16, rotatable on the pivot 9 in contact with the spring-plate 7 as and for the purpose described.

ABRAHAM L. SPRAGUE. Witnesses:

A. E. DENISON, H. J .MILLER. 

